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Autumn/Winter 2013

Proudly brought to you by The Monaro Post your local independent paper of the Monaro

A tribute to ‘man’s best friend’

A good working dog is worth more than its weight in gold to a busy farmer. In this edition of Your Farm, local trainer Neil Lynch explains the science of training your own pup and developing it into an invaluable farm resource. Neil is picured with Gab. See his story on page 3.

Autumn/Winter 2013

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Celebrating the heart of the Monaro wool industry Your Farm celebrates the heart of the Monaro wool industry, visiting our local wool sheds.

Some of the sheds on the Monaro date back more than 100 years, like this one at â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kia Oraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; near Cooma.

Pictured, owner Ross Sherlock throws a fleece onto the wool table. Behind him is the 1906 section of the shed.

Below is the original section, built, most probably, in the 1880s.

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Autumn/Winter 2013

The science of training a good working dog - Sarah Kleven The trusty farm dog is often far more than a loyal companion. A dog - or in many cases, dogs - are an indispensable part of running a farm.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re far cheaper to employ and can outperform most humans.

We marvel at their speed, their stamina, their agility, and their ability to wrangle the most difficult unruly stock.

They work in all manner of environments - from harsh, hot, dusty plains to rain swept hills to the frost biting winters on the Monaro.

We admire their keen instinct, their individual personalities, the way they seem to love their work and we love them for their companionship and loyalty.

But more than that, for many farmers the farm dog is simply an indispensable asset.

What is the secret to the partnership between a farmer and his dog?

Neil Lynch has all the answers. Neil is a qualified dogtraining instructor and regularly holds working dog schools on the Monaro. Dog training has been part of his life since he was just a child growing up on his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm.

The relationship between a farmer and his dog is of the utmost importance and begins as soon as the pup is selected.

Mr Lynch admits that selecting a pup can be extremely difficult and there is no real formula for selecting the perfect working dog and no real perfect breed. However he advises to look for a pup that is friendly and he personally has had a lot of success with dogs with really dark brown eyes. Only select a puppy from a pedigree and registered stud if you want to be really successful with your dog. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imperative to select a name for the pup quite early â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the name and associated recognition from the dog becomes the most important link between man and dog.

When the pup is four or five months old it is the perfect time to introduce them to quiet flocks of sheep. Soon after, it is essential to allow them to start to show their working instincts. The farmer must recognise what the dog is doing and not expect too much.

For the next few months the farmer should continue with

the same pattern. Repetition is key. When the pup is eight to nine months old the farmer needs to start introducing small word commands and teach manners and control.

The Dog should not know more than seven commands: sit, stop, cast left, cast right, move steady, bark and a command for backing the sheep. The commands should be clear, short and concise. All previous handling should consist of blocking and body language.

The dog reaches maturity at 12 -15 months old and should start to understand voice commands and be able to handle sheep that are not so quiet or friendly. The dog should be able to work with sheep in the paddock and control and manoeuvre them through gateways and into yards.

By this stage, with the use of positive enforcement and training, the dog should have built up a fair amount of confidence and should also understand casting left and right commands.

At 18 months the dog must be taught to learn how to run along the back of a mob of sheep in the race and in yards.

At this age, and under the conditions of forcing sheep into races, yards, sheds and trucks, it is the perfect time to teach

the young dog to bark on command, either through frustrating the dog or simply encouraging a natural barker.

At 18 months to two years the dog should be able to go and muster a mob of sheep with ease. The dog should progress to being fully trained at three to four years-old, however training needs to continue for the whole of a dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

If a dog develops shortcuts youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to go back to the start with the whole progress.

The faithful work dog is a common sight on Australian farms. But those in the agricultural industry are concerned that the art of training working dogs is dying out. These days a lot of farmers prefer to buy fully broken in sheep dogs and tend to avoid buying them as pups and taking the time to train them properly themselves.

The problem is many farmers have lost the skill and patience needed to train puppies and dogs are not ready to work until they are three years old.

Farmers want the immediacy of buying a working dog, which is already fully trained but of course, this can lead to all sorts of complications. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Graziers and stock owners with the pressure of time and work overload find little opportunity to put aside the necessary time needed to train a puppy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the young dog progress and begin to understand commands. The ease and calmness at the workplace, resulting from successful early training, is a great feeling,â&#x20AC;? Mr Lynch explained.

Mr Lynch encourages every farmer to take the time and effort to train a puppy properly from the very beginning he believes that the rewards far outweigh all the time and work needed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There becomes a bond and that bond is mutual trust of the dogs working ability with the livestock and your respect as a handler of that dogs abilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The dog only expects a good warm kennel, food and water and a friendly pat as a reward.â&#x20AC;?

Pictured, Gab and Neil competed at Dalgety Show yard dog trials this year.

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Gregory Abraham AMIAME Proprietor LMD 12556

40 Polo Flat Road, Cooma NSW 2630 Ph: 02 6452 1605 Fax: 02 6452 3485 ssc@exemail.com.au

Autumn/Winter 2013

Second Monaro Merino Muster Thursday May 2 will see all things Merino celebrated at the Monaro Merino Muster at Cooma Showground.

Organised by the Monaro Merino Breeders, with assistance from the Cooma Pastoral and Agricultural Association, the muster will showcase Monaro Merino genetics from the Snowies to the sea.

The day will include competitions for both stud and commercial sheep, trade stalls, demonstrations, food and refreshments. The muster will be a prelude to the annual Berridale Merino ewe competition on Friday and Saturday.

The Monaro Merino Muster will include a stud sheep display with about 14 studs taking part. They will compete for the Premium Pen of three rams which will be judged by Paul Walton of Wourrock Merino Stud, victoria,.

The prize is a winner-takes-all $1000 donated by Southern Tablelands Fibre Testers.

There will also be the AWI Insurnance ram competition, of $1000. The money will go towards the purchase of a ram from one of the participating studs.

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As well, there is the Monaro Commercial Ewe of the Year competition, with $1000 donated by Fabstock for the outright winner.

Gordon Litchfield Wool has also sponsored a ewe competition for a pen of eight ewes, with prize money of $650, $250 and $150.

The Monaro Merino Fleece of the Year award and the Commercial Fleece of the year will be contested by the winning fleeces from the local Monaro shows.

The total prize pool for the fleece awards will be $1000, sponsored by the Monaro Wool Brokers.

Trade stalls will also be set up inside the showground pavilion and will include chemicals and products.

Demonstrations on the day will include Dubbo Tafe’s shearing school and, on the oval, Neil Lynch will give demonstrations of working dogs and advice on breaking in and training pups.

People attending the muster are encouraged to also attend the Berridale ewe competition.

Those wishing to do so and want to join the bus should contact Don Southwell on 6454 4025 as soon as possible.

The inaugural Monaro Merino Muster last year saw some outstanding stud sheep exhbited. The rams are pictured at top, with the line-up of ewes for judging and the winner, Doug Constance.

Don Southwell won the fleece prizes last year.

COTTAGE PARK

MERINO STUD 19th Annual On-Property Ram Sale Wednesday 13th November 2013

Australian Wool & Pastoral Agency Ltd T/AS Monaro Wool Services & Schute Bell Badgery Lumby

Inspection 9.00am, Sale 12pm WOOL MARKETING - NOT JUST WOOL SELLING

ON-PROPERTY OPEN DAY Sunday 10th November 2013, 9.30am - 4.00pm

New extension - more room - MORE RAMS FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT

Mark and Jodie Pendergast “Cottage Park”, Cooma NSW 2630 MONITORED NEGATIVE 3V

P/F: 02 6453 5559

E: cottagepark@hotmail.com

Cooma Office & Wool Store 54-56 Polo Flat Road, Cooma NSW 2630

P: 6452 4494 F: 6452 4464 Call in and see Ross, Ben, Natalee, Brett, Peter and Pat Other wool stores at: Queanbeyan - Pat McDonald Mobile: 0427 910 151 Bombala - David Platts Phone: 6458 3720 Fridays 9am - 5pm Bega - Rebecca Breust Mobile: 0417 020 780 Bega Agricultural Supplies Friday 9am - 5pm

Personal Service • Farm Pick-up • Prompt Payment • Wool Marketing Assistance • Wool Packs

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Autumn/Winter 2013

Annual Monaro calf selling season underway The annual Monaro calf selling season began on March 27 with the Landmark, Cooma sale.

This saw 1672 cattle on offer, comprising 1125 steers and 547 heifers.

Top prices for the sale were yearling steers to $635; weaner steers to $605; yearling heifers to $460 and weaner heifers to $420.

On April 3, MLP held its annual sale, with 3910 head yarded and 105 registered buyers.

Top prices were $755 for Hereford and Angus steers, a/c PM Knox; $690 for black baldy steers, a/c J & R Phillips; $635 Hereford yearling heifers a/c JW & JM Hedger and $565 for Charolais cross heifer calves, a/c K & G Kable.

On April 17, Landmark Bombala will sell at Bombala and combined agents, Boller & Co, John Mooney Co and Landmark Cooma, will hold their sale at Cooma saleyard.

While this year’s dry conditions across the state have seen prices pegged back on the previous two years, the

condition of the stock on offer has been excellent.

In May, Gunyah, Hazeldean and Kunama studs will hold their autumn bull sales.

Hazeldean will also offer 400 females this year, after a break of a couple of years.

Pictured at right; buyers crowd the lanes at the MLP calf sale on April 3.

Below: Will Dixon calls for bids at the MLP sale.

Bottom: the Landmark sale on March 27 started the calf selling season.

Call Luke Abraham on

Call Luke Abraham at Southern Diesel and Hydraulics 1300 36 37 34 www.hydraulink.com.au 40 - 44 Polo Flat Rd, Cooma NSW

MONARO MERINO ASSOCIATION INC presents the

MONARO MERINO MUSTER

A celebration of the wool industry on the Monaro Thursday 2 May 2013, Cooma Showgrounds, 10am to 4pm

• Fabstock Monaro Commercial Ewe of the Year

• Win a ‘WFI - Insurance’ Ram Prize valued at $1000

• Gordon Litchfield Wool Commercial Pen of Eight Ewes

• Monaro Wool Brokers Fleece of the Year & Highest value Fleece

• Southern Tablelands Fibre Testing Premium Three March Shorn Rams

• Local Stud Displays

For more information contact: Simon King Drew Chapman 02 6453 7199 02 6458 8129

Mark Pendergast 02 6453 5559

www.monaromerinos.com.au

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Autumn/Winter 2013 Farm 6 Sydney Royal Easter Show, district exhibits wool competition results Mark and Jody Pendergast, Cottage Park Merino Stud, won first prize for his Strong Wool Fleece and John and Jenny Alcock, Greenland Merino Stud won second prize for their Medium Wool Fleece.

Each class has 40 entries from the five districts. Both fleeces were then displayed in the large glass cases in the front hall of the District Exhibits Building.

Mark’s fleeces were hand picked by Maryanne Burns and classer Lawrence Clifford who was working in Mark’s woolshed during his shearing, Mark gave the go ahead to choose whatever fleeces they liked to then pass onto her parents John and Jenny Alcock to do up to take to Goulburn, where all the wool collected is gone through thoroughly and done up and chosen to take to Sydney, a few

days before the wool goes to Sydney Show to be judged on the Sunday before the show opens.

The Southern District Exhibits came second in the wool section overall between the five regions.

There was just 13.72 points the difference between first and second. The wool that is judged in the District exhibits has to be up to world standard to win.

Results from the 2013 Sheep Fleece NSW/QLD

Classes : CHAMPION NSW/QLD Class Skirted Fleece – MERINO- Winner: J&J Alcock (Southern District) Skirted Merino Fleece – Medium – 1st J&J Alcock, Greenland (Southern District) Skirted Merino FleeceFine- 2nd J&J Alcock, Greenland (Southern District) Skirted Merino FleeceFine Medium- 3rd J&J Alcock, Greenland (Southern District)

District Exhibits Competition

These spectacular constructions of vegetables, fruit and other produce are one of the highlights of The Sydney Royal Easter Show. These giant displays are a cooperative work by growers that reflect the diversity and excellence of their regional produce.

Each consists of more than 10,000 pieces of fresh produce from five agricultural districts throughout NSW and South East Queensland.

The District Exhibit Displays at the Sydney Royal Easter Show consists of five Regions known as courts that represent Southern District Exhibits is our region, Western District, Central District, Northern District, of NSW and South East Queensland. The Courts source produce from local competitions and

for 2012 and 2013

leading farmers within their areas to compete in Sydney. All the produce has to be the highest quality in the world to win in Sydney Show District Exhibits.

Each District has to pick eight Merino Fleeces of Superfine Wool, eight Fine Wool, eight Medium Wool and eight Strong wool. At least 10 of each go to Sydney to choose the eight of each on the day.

Those eight fleeces of each fineness then is judged as a group of fleeces on the table, then three top fleeces are selected by the judges to go to the other judge for the first, seconds and Champion fleece of the show, to be selected.

The Champion Fleeces are then placed in glass cases in the front of the building that houses the District Exhibits.

Then some of the fleeces, from each fineness and from each district are sent to the sheep and wool Pavilion

to be entered into the NSW/QLD Sheep Fleece Classes, judged by different judges and awarded prizes.

The Open wool section that people enter their fleeces themselves is totally separate to the District Exhibits Wool judging.

The points awarded to each district for the wool judging is then added to the overall points with the grain, fruit and vegetables, Dairy produce, nuts, Pasture grasses, wines, preserved fruits, vegetables, jams, pickles, sauces, British breed fleeces, stock fodders etc.

Wool is selected by several people from shows and from woolsheds when shearing is in progress. If anyone would like more information or would like to volunteer to help for the 2014 show can contact John or Jenny on 02 64536244.

Monaro

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Autumn/Winter 2013

How to smoke with your barbecue Smoking is a barbecue technique not often seen in Australia, but the benefits of this American style of low slow cooking brings unrivaled tenderness to beef.

some brisket on the barbie, despite slightly cooler temperatures. He’s even created his own spice rub for Aussies to flavour their brisket with before trying out the art of BBQ smoking.

If you’ve ever wondered how to achieve delicious smoky-flavoured ultra-tender beef, simply follow the steps below. Here, we’ve taken a 7kg cut of brisket (a cut readily available from most butchers) and shown you how to smoke it – in glorious southernstyle. You will need a kettle style barbecue for this slow-cook method.

“American-style smoking is perfect for this time of year when temperatures aren’t off the charts but it’s still awesome weather for a beer and barbie with the lads.

1. Start by preparing your brisket the day before serving. Choose your favourite marinade or make a dry spice rub and cover the meat with it. Place the brisket in the refrigerator overnight, then remove two hours before cooking to allow the meat to reach room temperature 2. Prepare the barbecue – ignite the charcoal and let it burn until it is ash coloured 3. To smoke you need wood chips which can be purchased from most barbecue retailers.

It’s the smoke from the wood chips that infuses the terrific flavor. Wood chips can be soaked in water 24 hours in advance. This will ensure the chips do not ignite or burn, but rather smolder, creating a smoke to flavour the meat throughout the cooking process. Scatter the woodchips over the coals the more you add, a greater chance of smoke flavour being present in the meat. Balance the wire rack over chips and coals, then close the lid of the barbecue 4. When the barbecue has reached 125 degrees and smoke fills the lid, place the brisket fat side up on the rack.

Close the lid. As the fat cooks and dissolves, it will drip through the meat 5. Check the brisket periodically, adding more chips if necessary. If you are using a marinade, additional basting can be done at this time but be sure to move quickly so as not to lose the heat of the barbecue 6. Don’t turn the brisket during cooking. You want the fat to continue to drip down through the meat.

After 8-9 hours the brisket should be cooked to your liking. Remove the meat from the barbecue and rest before carving

So, why not show off your new found skills with these recipes I’ve made with chef Gregory Llewellyn at Hartsyard restaurant. Beware, I like some kick with my meat. If you like to take it easier, just reduce the paprika and chilli!” Merrick said.

MERRICK WATTS’ SPICE RUB RECIPE Ingredients: 2tbs onion powder 2tbs garlic powder 500g brown sugar 3tbs yellow mustard seeds 3tbs black mustard seeds 500g salt 5tbs paprika 2tbs dried chilli (Ancho chilli) Steps: 1. Blend the yellow and black mustard seeds along with the dried chillis 2.

Pour all ingredients into a bowl and mix 3. Apply oil and rub recipe into brisket before placing it in the fridge the day before cooking MUSTARD BASED SAUCE – NORTH CAROLINA AND TEXAS INSPIRED (to serve with your brisket once cooked) Ingredients: 3 onions Garlic powder 2 litres of apple cider vinegar 1 litre of mustard Paprika Onion powder Tomato sauce 100g crushed garlic gloves

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Chef’s Tips: •Cooking time is about 1.5 hours per 500g of beef •7kg cut of brisket serves 12-15 people •Experimenting with different types of wood chips - oak, apple, hickory and mesquite, for example – will deliver different enticing flavours

Steps: 1. Sweat the onions and garlic in oil until golden brown 2. Add the vinegar, reduce by half 3. Add all other ingredients 4. Simmer for 25 minutes 5. Season to taste

Barbecue fanatic, comedian and radio personality Merrick Watts is encouraging Aussies to throw

Pictured: Merrick Watts

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Cotton

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129 Sharp St, Cooma

Tel (02) 6452 2668

Fax (02) 6452 7996

YOUR

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Autumn/Winter 2013

Farm

Celebrating the heart of Monaro Wool industry

We have your

skip bins covered

BURCHALLS

WUDQVSRUW UHF\FOLQJ

t Sizes vary from 2 to 25 cubic metres t Great for home or farm cleanups & building sites t Commercial recycling pickups from your business t Scrap metal removal available ALSO AVAILABLE: Tilt Trays (Lic no. 96050) & Fork Lift Hire

P. 6452 3773

&DOO XV WR GLVFXVV \RXU UHF\FOLQJ UHTXLUHPHQWV

79 Polo Flat Rd, Cooma 2630 F. 02 6452 4953 E. burchall@westnet.com.au

Celebrating the heart of the Monaro wool industry, Your Farm brings our readers an insight into some of our oldest wool sheds.

On this page, Manaroo shed, south of Coomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was busy with shearing this week. The shed is more than 100 years old and still shows the old system of shearing - a Koerstz wool press and the orginal shearing stands, as well as the stencils of previous owners.

Beating the bunny Department of Primary Industries (DPI) researcher, Tarnya Cox, is on a quest to protect agriculture and the environment from one of our most devastating pests as she works to develop release strategies for new strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV).

A team of DPI and CSIRO scientists has been working on the RHD Boost project to address resistance in rabbits to RHDV, previously known as rabbit calicivirus (RCD).

Dr Cox said once the most effective new strains of RHDV are identified, the next stage in the project will be

to release and monitor RHDV across the Australian landscape. â&#x20AC;&#x153;RHD Boost aims to give landholders a reinvigorated RHDV for use as a biological tool to manage rabbits and limit the destructive impact which the pests cause,â&#x20AC;? Dr Cox said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have identified three strains of RHDV that have the potential to work against rabbits which have developed resistance to the original release of the virus.â&#x20AC;? The success of RHD Boost offers a calculated value of $1.4 billion over 15 years and the ability to significantly reduce rabbit impacts on Australian vegetation and ecosystems.

Looking for something better than superphosphate this autumn?

$360 per tonne (bulk) inc GST landed on farm

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Autumn/Winter 2013

TAFE offers solution for farmers who want more

A growing number of local farmers are breaking away from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;old waysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and are gaining better returns in profitability, sustainability and time for their family by applying a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Holistic Managementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; business approach to their farms.

TAFE Westernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s range of holistic farm management courses is aimed at anybody interested in making better decisions both on and off farm in a wide range of farming enterprises anywhere in NSW. James Morse was looking to improve his grazing management when he started his course with TAFE Western.

James said â&#x20AC;&#x153;The course allowed me to make decisions that not only improve financial returns from our beef cattle enterprise, but allow more time for family and friends.

Since completing the course we are also measuring a big increase in the diversity of pasture species and have greatly reduced the use of chemicals to control weedsâ&#x20AC;?.

Students who complete the

Luke moves to Elders, Cooma

Holistic Management short course can now also go on to study a Diploma in Holistic Management which takes into account their earlier course work.

The Holistic Management course is designed to give students (young and old) a new way of making better decisions on the property, including how to maximise the use of their animals and how to make use of the available water to the best advantage.

The Murrumbidgee CMA is providing great leadership through its backing of TAFE courses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to the tune of a subsidy of $3,000 for qualifying individuals within its catchment area.

Interested parties should email: Ian.Chapman@det.nsw.edu.au or call 0427 468 255 Pictured, Holistic Management educator Brian Wehlburg shows a group how a penetrometer is used to monitor soil conditions, related to the ecosystem processes.

Luke Pope is passionate about agriculture and after 10 years on the Monaro as an agronomist heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still in love with the area.

Amid the insecurity created by 300 job cuts in the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), well-known district agronomist Luke Pope made the move into the private sector as the Monaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Elderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agronomist.

With the announced 300 job cuts to the DPI, it was decided that the current two positions at Cooma - the livestock officer and agronomist â&#x20AC;&#x201C; would cease and be reduced to one position.

There is still no detail about what that position will be or the qualifications required to fill it.

The Elderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job became vacant when the previous Elderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agronomist, Patrice Ingram, left the job in late 2012.

Mr Pope took the opportunity to fill the position. He has now been in the position for three months and he loves it.

Growing up on his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wheat and sheep farm in South Australia definitely provided a good practical grounding for agronomy.

After school he attended Hawksbury Agricultural College where he studied Agronomy.

Mr Pope is happy to be working with Elders

and extremely happy that he was able to remain on the Monaro. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my DPI job I was spread extremely thin over a large area. I covered the area from the Southern Highlands to the Victorian boarder. In my new job at Elders I can spend more time with fewer farmers and concentrate on the Monaro area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I miss the people at DPI and what the job used to be but this is a great new opportunity for me,â&#x20AC;? explained Mr Pope.

As the Elders agronomist Mr Pope provides practical advice on-farm about plants, sewing, fertiliser, weed control, pests and diseases and pasture management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elders is a company with a lot of Australian history, they help people all over Australia. I love being a small part of a big machine,â&#x20AC;? Mr Pope said.

Mr pope and his young family are quite comfortable remaining on the Monaro and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be moving away any time soon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m passionate about agriculture. I get to go out and get my boots muddy, problem solving with a technical focus. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m definitely not desk bound. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was amazed at the resilience of the Monaro farmers and their ability to manage their way through and out of drought,â&#x20AC;? he said.

COOLROOM FOR HIRE Phone Brad 6452 1634 or 0417 407 049

CONTACT FRANKS BUTCHERY

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YOUR

Farm

Autumn/Winter 2013

Animal welfare strategy A revamped Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) website is now providing a central information hub on all aspects of animal welfare policies and practices, following an extensive upgrade.

The AAWS is a national plan which guides activities aimed at improving the welfare of animals, and provides the Australian and international communities with an improved appreciation of animal welfare arrangements in this country.

“The new AAWS website, www. australiananimalwelfare.com.au, provides the public with easy to access and useful information, including animal welfare standards, guidelines, tips and tools, upcoming events, educational videos and news items,” Deputy Chair of the Australian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, Keith Adams, said.

“The new website will act as an authoritative source of animal welfare information, and provide avenues for those with an interest in animal welfare issues to interact with the AAWS. “As part of the site redesign and expansion, these valuable materials have been presented to the public in a way that they can easily find information on the types of animals they are most interested in.”

The AAWS has seed funding provided by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and is overseen by an Advisory Committee to inform Minister Joe Ludwig on developments in animal welfare.

About 140 experts and their organisations are involved in the AAWS and provide a high level of in-kind contribution and funding to the program, which delivers a range of projects focussed on delivering sustainable improvements in animal welfare.

AAWS activities are conducted through six working groups: Aquatic Animals; Livestock & Production Animals; Pets & Companion Animals; Animals Used in Work, Recreation, Entertainment & Display; Animals in Research & Teaching; and Native & Introduced Wildlife.

Each of the working groups has its own dedicated area on the new website to assist the public in finding information most relevant to their own areas of interest.

“The website will act as a conduit for information on the progress of recently announced projects which will be conducted as part of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy,” Mr Adams said.

MEET YOUR NEW TEAM IN GREEN AT

BOMBALA & DELEGATE Annual Calf Sale: Wednesday 17th April

· Loveland Products available · Agronomy Services available · End of Financial Year Specials

Matt Green Branch Manager

Justin Lewis Tory Jamieson Livestock Bombala/Delegate Merchandise Andrew Rolfe Sam Platts Agronomist Ian Sellers Administration Manager Patrice Ingram Merchandise/Sales Delegate Agronomist

Ph: 6458 3422 · 149-151 Maybe St Bombala

YOUR

10

Farm

Quad riders push danger boundary Recent research by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has revealed an alarming rate of quad bike riders drive dangerously.

The consumer research of 125 recreational quad bike users conducted last month found that almost a quarter surveyed rode with someone accompanying them on the same bike.

ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said injuries and deaths relating to quad bike use had significantly increased over the last few years.

She said there were 18 reported quad bikerelated deaths last year.

“Close to 30 per cent of these deaths were of children under 15 years of age, which is frightening considering that children should never be on a quad bike designed for adults,” Ms Rickard said.

“As most quad bikes are made for one person only, this practice can severely compromise

user and passenger safety.”

The study also found that one in six quad bike users rarely or never wore any personal protective equipment such as a helmet, eye protection and sturdy footwear.

C o n s u m e r research highlighted that more than one-third of quad bike users were self-taught and almost half had been taught by a family member, friend or neighbour.

Ms Rickard said that although users perceived quad bike riding to be a dangerous activity, they also perceived it to be quite easy.

The results from the consumer research will assist in developing a long-term safety education program for recreational quad bike use while the ACCC continues to monitor the safety of the vehicle itself via in-depth performance testing.

Quad bike users can find these safety tips and further information at www.productsafety.gov.au/ quadbikes

New look for Bombala landmark Landmark Bombala-Delegate has undergone significant changes since December 2012.

Landmark Operations purchased the franchise previously operated by Phil and Lisa Cottrell and the new team in green is manager Matt Green, Justin Lewis, Sam Platts, Troy Jamison, Patrice Ingram and Ian Sellers are excited about the new-look business.

Matt has lived in the area for a long time, so has first-hand local knowledge of clients’ needs.

He said he and his team are looking forward to the opportunities of working with a progressive and competitive rural company.

Matt said Landmark Operations is very industry-focussed and has a range of resources which will benefit its clients.

“There is a range of exciting new products available to clients through the Landmark network.

“We are able to offer our clients expertise in livestock, merchandise and agronomy services”, he said.

“We are looking forward to working with our local farmers across the Bombala region”, Matt said.

Landmark will hold its annual calf sale in Bombala on April 17.

There are 1100 head already booked, with room for more.

Contact Landmark Bombala on 6458 3422 for more information.

Enquire at your local LHPA office on the services we provide for our landholders, which include: • 1080/Pindone Courses • Fox/Rabbit Baiting Programs • Livestock Health advice and diagnostic services • Wild Dog & Feral Pig assistance • Advice on NLIS requirements • Processing of Natural Disaster rebate applications • Emergency and exotic disease prevention, preparedness & response BEGA BOMBALA

02 6492 1283 02 6458 3055

www.lhpa.org.au Email: admin.south.east@lhpa.org.au

BRAIDWOOD COOMA

02 4842 2536 02 6452 1122

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11

Autumn/Winter 2013

From the horse’s mouth Dr Geoorge Timmins BVSc

YOUR LOCAL PAPER 100% locally owned LOCAL EDITORIAL TEAM

so that you understand it isn’t just simply a matter of knocking off any sharp edges.

FACT – Horses do about 60 chews per minute, for 14 to 20 hours a day. The incisors are used to grip and cut the grass and the cheek teeth grind the food into smaller pieces for digestive enzymes to act on.

Over time, no matter what your horse is eating, your horse’s teeth will develop sharp points, hooks etc. which are painful when they impinge on the soft tissue in your horse’s mouth. If the teeth aren’t in good shape you get inadequate chewing which leads to poor digestion, which can lead to colic.

So, if you want your horse to be comfortable when eating and comfortable when being ridden then get your horse’s teeth evaluated and treated.

Editor: Gail Eastaway 6452 0312 Sarah Kleven 6452 0316

For all your advertising needs contact the ONLY 100% Locally Owned Paper THE MONARO POST

Ph: 6452 0313

Kylie Hinton Jess Plumridge

Your horse will chew around 20,000,000 times this year.

Healthier teeth leads to better digestions and can reduce the incidence of colic - one of the leading causes of death in our horses.

Tracy Frazer 0429 321 869 Louise Platts 0428 586 688 Beth Cole

LOCAL GRAPHICS TEAM

Did you know?

A well maintained mouth will cost much less to feed and can prevent the onset of painful conditions which often lead to bad behaviour.

LOCAL SALES TEAM

www.monaropost.com.au ^^^ TVUHYVWVZ[ JVT H\ . Stock H tud se S

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“If your horse has not had its teeth examined by an experienced horse dentist in the last 12 months, no matter its age, then it is due for a dental examination.”

• Dr Oliver Liyou, BVSc (Hons), MRCVS (Equine Dentistry) • In my opinion the only way to do a proper mouth and teeth examination and, in turn, a thorough dental treatment is with a horse that has had intravenous sedation. It makes it relatively safe for all three parties involved – the horse, the veterinarian and the horse owner.

To do a proper job you need five things: • Good facilities • An experienced veterinarian,trained in horse dentistry • Intravenous sedation • Proper equipment • Adequate illumination of the oral cavity.

A good old rasping of the teeth is not good enough! If you don’t have all these things in place then a less than adequate job may be done. In fact, severe damage can be done to your horse’s teeth.

It is ideal to be able to demonstrate to the owner what the problems are before treatment begins.

A practitioner should be able to feel and see the state of the pre-molars and molars deep inside the horse’s mouth. A proper check should demonstrate if there are any wolf teeth present that should be removed.

Ideally your horse should receive an annual performance float. This is the label given to the dental examination and treatment of the teeth to maximise the performance of that horse, both in mastication (chewing) and when ridden. A good performance float will remove sharp points and shape cheek teeth to prevent pain to the tongue and gums. It will also evaluate the function, symmetry and balance of the molars and incisors and give treatment as indicated.

Your vet will discuss the scope of modern equine dentistry with you before beginning the procedure

MJ & CM French

chansit.com.au

by Ablelou

Sired photo www.jensol.net

Chansit Ablelou

Chansit Classact

Federal Park Vision

Chansit Ki-Kiama

Sired

by Vision

photo www.jensol.net

DOB: 22/9/1994

Chansit Classical

by Ablelou

photo www.jensol.net

Sired

Chansit Jimney Cricket

Height: 15hh

photo www.jensol.net

photo Sally Ann Thompson

UBUTEY MAXIMUS

DOB: 5/9/2003

Height: 15.1hh

DOB: 20/10/1995

Height: 15hh

Vision is owned and bred by Ron Kent of Classact is easy to ride, effortless to train Campdrafting ability, stock sense, and Quirindi. He has been campaigned by Matt and has a familiar attitude when it comes to companionship all come in Ablelou's blood & Chrissie French since 2001. Over the reading cattle.

He is so quiet – the kids ride Dam: Fieldon Marylou won an impressive years he has proved to be very consistent. him.

Sire: Knights Nicholas ASH Star of the 86 campdrafts in only 5 years, Sire: He is extremely soft to ride, easy to educate Year @ 5 yrs, ASH Champion @ Melb & Syd Quidong Able had 98 campdraft wins & and very responsive. He is passing these Royal, Dam: Chansit Classical is an Open was sired by Abdul. Ablelou has won 19 attributes on to his progeny - resulting in Campdraft mare, extremely soft to ride. campdrafts to date. He is always consistent classy stock that are winning open drafts and Grand dam: Cambalong Jazz – has won giving 110%, and can be ridden by the playing A grade polocrosse. Sire: Comara numerous Open Drafts.

She placed 2nd whole family. Ablelou’s sired Open Tiger Cat won 33 Campdrafts & was sired by Ladies @ Warwick Draft and has played Campdrafters, A grade Polocrosse horses Abbey. Dam: Federal Park Fancy won or State Polocrosse for NSW & SA. Classact’s & Ponies for the kids at Pony Club. His placed on 5 of her 7 outings before she was 2nd outing he placed 5th in the Open progeny are extremely quiet in all aspects injured. Vision has numerous 3/4 brothers Stockmans Challenge @ Gundagai Giddy and they just love being your mate. and sisters who are excelling in Campdrafting Up 2009 and ran an 86 in the stallion draft.

Breed one for the whole family …..

He continues to prove his consistency, he has and have won Polocrosse Horse Awards at the World Cup. a beautiful nature and is a pleasure to own.

NEWEST ADDITION

ASH 189636

Matt & Chrissie French “Chansit” Nimmitabel Matt: 0417 020 757 Chrissie: 0428 824 660 Ph: 6454 6045

www.chansit.com.au

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Queanbeyan: 40 Yass Rd P 6299 4999 Bowral: 10-12 Oxleys Hill Rd P 4862 9000 Scan the QR code to visit our website

www.agriquip.com.au